The post whore thread.

[Irving]

That's pretty much their opinion.

[Alpha2]

Okay, not EVERY car looks silly with EVERY ladder...something to think about. Talk amongst yourselves...but we've seen the pictures, just sayin'.

[HoneyBadger]

That's pretty much their opinion.

I don't disagree with their opinion, but it sounds like a stupid policy.

[HoneyBadger]

It's unfortunate that something as silly as cosmetics affect such personal decisions. ...now this is starting to sound like gun laws.

[Irving]

I'd like to rock a nice square bodied wagon as the roof is long enough to hold onto a big ladder with ease. Most roof racks are 4' front to back, so with a 32' extension ladder, you've got 6 feet hanging off of either end if you center the ladder. However, with most SUVs, the rack is toward the back so you run the ladder forward a bit and have 5' hanging off the back and 7' off the front. It doesn't feel all that great on a cheapy factory roof rack. I've seen some pretty heavy duty basket style racks that would work much better. Oh, I managed to squeak out 18.93 mpg today on 99% highway mileage. I think I could do better if I stayed at 65 mph and behind a semi truck the whole time, but I don't always have time for that. Today was a stupid day though, with going to Monument, then to Brighton, then back down to downtown Colorado Springs, then back home.

[HoneyBadger]

I'd like to rock a nice square bodied wagon as the roof is long enough to hold onto a big ladder with ease. Most roof racks are 4' front to back, so with a 32' extension ladder, you've got 6 feet hanging off of either end if you center the ladder. However, with most SUVs, the rack is toward the back so you run the ladder forward a bit and have 5' hanging off the back and 7' off the front. It doesn't feel all that great on a cheapy factory roof rack. I've seen some pretty heavy duty basket style racks that would work much better. Oh, I managed to squeak out 18.93 mpg today on 99% highway mileage. I think I could do better if I stayed at 65 mph and behind a semi truck the whole time, but I don't always have time for that. Today was a stupid day though, with going to Monument, then to Brighton, then back down to downtown Colorado Springs, then back home.

ouch. That's a lot of driving for one day.

[Irving]

That just means more time to listen to new music on YouTube. I feel like I'm in high school again and just discovered Metallica. Next will be more financial pod casts. Still packing lunch every day and while the $20 a day in gas hurts a bit, I know that many people spend at least that much eating out every day, on top of what it costs them to drive around. Talk about a double ouch!

[Great-Kazoo]

It's unfortunate that something as silly as cosmetics affect such personal decisions. ...now this is starting to sound like gun laws.

Or a dating service.

[Erni]

It's unfortunate that something as silly as cosmetics affect such personal decisions. ...now this is starting to sound like gun laws.

Don't be silly. Banning the shoulder ladders that go up things from cars is perfectly reasonable. It's for the childrens!!!1!!!111!!

But on the serious side that rule is dumb. All you need is a clean car with a safe attachment point. Bonus points if you can attach magnetic company logo signs to the door.

Irv,
How does the total cost of ownership on gas vs diesel pencil out nowdays? 30mpg with diesel more expensive than gas, equals 25mpg on a gas car? (Numbers pulled from pluckin region) Don't forget to pencil in the extra cost of oil changes on a diesel vs gas, you will be doing a lot of them.

[Irving]

I was wondering that myself just now. The next option is a Honda Element with 24 mpg and similar prices with less maintenance. Same issue with roof rack, but more (and newer) models from which to choose, as well as better interior and easier to find fuel. Not to mention that while I plan on doing most maintenance myself, it is a lot easier to find a good Honda mechanic than a common rail diesel mechanic.

Liberty can double as a true off-road vehicle and can take things like larger tires or light towing (which I don't generally do) with less of a hit in gas mileage.